Why Aaron Judge towers over rest of MVP candidates

Aaron Judge's 6-foot, 7-inch frame, 282 pound frame is a clear advantage when it comes to being a power-hitting baseball player.

The Yankees rookie star dwarfs virtually everyone he stands next to on the diamond, and his statistical achievements - beyond his record-setting 50 home runs for a rookie in a single season - thrust him to the conversation for the American League Most Valuable Player Award.

Frazier says girl injured by foul ball has improved

Sep 25 | 8:45PM

New York Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier (29) reacts after hitting a single in the first inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Citi Field. (Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports)

Yankees 3B Todd Frazier said that the girl that was injured by a foul ball is improving and could leave the hospital soon, according to the ESPN.

During a game last Wednesday, Frazier hit a 105 MPH line drive behind third base into the lower deck at Yankee Stadium. The girl, who was with her grandparents, was hit by the ball and was immediately taken to the hospital.

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Judge rewrites history in Yankees slugfest over Royals, 11-3

Sep 25 | 4:00PM

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GEICO SportsNite: Judge-ment Day00:01:49

Michelle Yu recaps a historic day at Yankee Stadium as Aaron Judge becomes the first-ever Major League rookie to hit 50 home runs.

Aaron Judge set the record for most home runs by a rookie in a single season hitting his 49th and 50th homers in the Yankees' 11-3 win over the Royals. >> Box score

Garcia struggles as Yankees lose to Blue Jays

Sep 24 | 5:25PM

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Jaime Garcia walks toward the dugout after being relieved in the third inning during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. (Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports)

Jaime Garcia was pulled in the third inning as the New York Yankees lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 9-5 on Sunday at Rogers Centre. >> Box score

Garcia (1-3) gave up five runs, four hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings, as the Yankees fell to five games back of the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

He surrendered a leadoff home run to Teoscar Hernandez in the first inning and was charged for three runs when Jonathan Holder inherited a bases-loaded, one-out jam and gave up a bases-clearing double to Russell Martin in the third inning that gave Toronto a 5-0 lead.

Tanaka implodes as Yanks drop first game of series to Jays, 8-1

Sep 22 | 10:30PM

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Yankees starter RHP Masahiro Tanaka had an uncharacteristic start as the Blue Jays tacked on eight to win the first game of the three-game series, 8-1, in Toronto. >> Box score

With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the third, Teoscar Hernandez broke it with a solo homer to left center to take the lead. The next inning, former Yankee Russell Martin stretched the lead with a two-run shot to left.

The final blow was in the bottom of the sixth, when the No. 9 hitter Ryan Goins launched a grand slam to right center field that ended, not only Tanaka's night, but the Yankees hopes to victory...

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Game 153: Yankees at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m.

Sep 22 | 6:00PM

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum. (Neville E. Guard/USA TODAY Sports)

The Yankees (85-67) begin their final road trip with a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays (71-82) on Friday at 7:07 p.m. at Rogers Centre.

Our weekly minor league report canvases the Yankees' farm system providing updates about the status of the teams in action and the organization's top prospects. This week we will briefly cover the playoff results at each level. We will also examine seasonal results and outlooks for 2018 with the club's Nos. 5 through 1 prospects.

Triple-A - International League North Division - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Record: 86-55, 1st place, 6.5 GA

After winning the International League North Division regular season title and the division series, the RailRiders lost to the Durham Bulls in the International League finals 3-1 in the best-of-five series. The Bulls went on to beat the Pacific Coast League champion Memphis Redbirds 5-3 in the Triple-A championship game.

Sep 22 | 9:22AM

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New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. (Andy Marlin/USA Today Sports Images)

Yankees LHP CC Sabathia, who entered rehab for alcoholism two years ago, told NJ.com's Brendan Kuty he would not miss the team's celebration, which would likely include alcohol, that would occur if the team clinches a playoff berth.

Sabathia wrote in The Players' Tribune in March 2016 that while the team was headed into the playoffs at the time, he needed to do what was best for him.

"Of course, the timing wasn't the best for the Yankees and the fans," Sabathia wrote, "but that wasn't my main concern. When I decided to get help, I wasn't scared anymore of what people would think of me. I was scared of drinking again. So many of the major choices in my life, going back to when I was just a kid, have been baseball decisions. But this was a life decision."

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says the league will 'redouble' its efforts to enhance fan safety

After a scary incident where a young fan was struck with a batted ball, the panel discusses if all teams should extend protective netting.

Several Yankees players said the team should expand the protective netting in the wake of a two-year-old girl who was sitting down the third base line being struck in the face by a foul ball off the bat of Todd Frazier on Wednesday.

Who has edge in a Yankees vs. Twins Wild Card game?

Chris Carelli, SNY.TVFacebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives: By sweeping the Twins, the Yankees pushed their lead for the American League's first wild card spot to seven games. If the season were to end today, the clubs would meet up in the AL Wild Card game at Yankee Stadium. What did the series tell us about the potential wild card matchup?

Potential pitching matchup

The Yankees saw the Twins' best pitcher and the Twins saw the Yankees' ace. It is presumed that the clubs would try their best to arrange these pitchers to be their starters in a potential wild card game. The Yankees were able to put pressure on Ervin Santana, but couldn't find the big hit in a game, scoring just two runs off the veteran.

Sep 20 | 10:47PM

Former Yankees outfielder Raul Mondesi has been sentenced to eight years in prison in the Dominican Republic on charges of corruption, according to multiple reports.

Mondesi, who served as the mayor of San Cristobal in his native country, was also fined 60 million pesos for the charges. The Dominican Today reports that an audit of Mondesi discovered the corruption issues.

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Yankees shaken after young girl is struck by foul ball

Sep 20 | 5:14PM

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(Noah K. Murray)

The Yankees were shaken after a foul ball off the bat of Todd Frazier in the bottom of the fifth inning on Wednesday hit a young girl in the face. The girl was sitting in the stands on the third base side.

The game was stopped as the young fan was taken out on a stretcher.

"The child who was struck with a batted ball today was given first aid at the ballpark and is receiving medical attention at an area hospital," the Yankees said in a statement, explaining they couldn't release any additional information due to HIPAA.

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Aaron Judge homers again as Yankees crush Twins, 11-3

Sep 20 | 4:30PM

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GEICO SportsNite: Yankees00:01:33

Eamon McAnaney reports from Yankee Stadium as the Yankees swept the Twins thanks to homers by Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius.

Aaron Judge hit his American League-leading 45th home run of the season as the Yankees erased an early 3-0 deficit and blew out the Twins, 11-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the third inning, Judge hit a two-run homer down the line in right field and Gary Sanchez followed with a solo homer to center as the Yankees tied things, 3-3.

The Yankees plated six runs in the bottom of thefourth, with Greg Bird's run-scoring double, RBI hits from Brett Gardner and Sanchez, and a three-run homer by Didi Gregorius accounting for the damage...

Roger Maris Jr. following Giancarlo Stanton as he nears father's home run feat

Sep 19 | 2:02PM

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(Steve Mitchell)

With Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton in range to eclipse Yankees great Roger Maris' 61 home runs in 1961, Roger Maris Jr. is watching intently.

Maris' record has been broken before with Barry Bonds belting 73 homers in 2001, and Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa each breaking it three times in their career. However, all three players were on steroids, and in Maris Jr.'s mind, it doesn't count.

If Stanton breaks his father's record, it will be the real deal which is why he is following the Marlins' slugger as the season comes to a close...

Sep 19 | 12:33PM

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(Adam Hunger)

Yankees starter RHP Masahiro Tanaka wouldn't mind being passed up for Luis Severino if the team makes the Wild Card round.

Severino has been the clear ace of the Yankees this season, but Tanaka has looked much better and has experience pitching in the 2015 Wild Card game against the Astros. But Tanaka doesn't mind if Severino is chosen to start in the potential game because he believes he has earned it.

"I wouldn't be disappointed. It's not something that's been decided yet," Tanaka told The Daily News through a translator. "But if Sevy were to pitch the wild-card game, I don't think anybody would have anything against that, just considering how he's pitched. And considering that it's a do-or-die game, you always want to get the best pitcher out there that can givev the team the best chance to win. No one would be against if Sevy goes out there pitching in that game."

Judge, Frazier lead Yankees to 2-1 victory over Twins

Sep 18 | 10:30PM

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New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge hits a home run in the first inning agains the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. (Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports)

Aaron Judge hit his American League-leading 44th home run of the season while Todd Frazier hit a go-ahead sac fly in the sixth inning as the New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Monday at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

Frazier broke a 1-1 tie by hitting a bases-loaded sac fly with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning after Ervin Santana intentionally walked Jacoby Ellsbury as the Yankees expanded their wild-card lead to five games.

David Robertson (9-2) and the rest of the Yankees bullpen combined to throw 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief after Jaime Garcia pitched into the sixth inning. Aroldis Chapman pitched out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth inning and followed that with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 19th save of the season.

Should Yankees sign Didi Gregorius to a long-term deal this offseason?

Sep 15, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (18) hits a two run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez hit the Statcast home runs, but Didi Gregorius is the pulse of the New York Yankees.

It is amazing to think how far Gregorius has come since taking over for Yankees icon Derek Jeter at shortstop. He had yet to play a full MLB season when he arrived in New York, and there was a good deal of talk about Gregorius' inability to hit left-handed pitching. After his first month in the Bronx, the concerns that he could be a long-term solution grew.

Gregorius slowly silenced critics after the 2015 season's opening month, and turned them into avid supporters in 2016. This season, despite missing 24 games, Gregorius is snapping or within reach of personal bests in multiple offensive categories. He has produced FanGraphs WAR values of 3.1, 2.6 and 3.9 (and counting) since 2015.

Gregorius, who turns 28 just before next season, has two years left of arbitration before reaching free agency, which begs the question. Should the Yankees try to sign Gregorius to a long-term deal this offseason?

Yankees rearrange starting rotation ahead of series with Twins

Sep 16 | 11:06PM

New York Yankees staring pitcher CC Sabathia (52) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. (Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports)

The Yankees have changed the order of their starting rotation ahead of their upcoming series with the Twins beginning on Monday, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

LHP CC Sabathia, who was slated to start on Sunday, will instead pitch on Tuesday because the Yankees want him to avoid the turf in Toronto, Hoch reports. Instead, RHP Sonny Gray will pitch on Sunday and Jaime Garcia will pitch on Monday.

Luis Severino will not pitch in the series with the Twins, who he has yet to face in his career. Severino's last start was on Friday, while Jordan Montgomery pitched for the Yankees on Saturday.

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Yankees hit three homers, Montgomery shines in 9-3 win over Orioles

Sep 16 | 7:12PM

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(Adam Hunger)

The Yankees hit three home runs and Jordan Montgomery tossed six scoreless innings en route to a 9-3 win over the Orioles on Saturday. >> Box score

Yankees recall Andujar, Holder from Triple-A

Sep 16 | 1:23PM

Jonathan Holder reacts after allowing a home run in the Yankees loss Wednesday. (Frank Franklin II/AP)

INF Miguel Andujar and RHP Jonathan Holder were recalled from Triple-A prior to Saturday's game against the Orioles.

Andujar's only game at the major league level came back in June when the third baseman recorded three hits and four RBI in four at-bats. He also registered a stolen base.

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Indians snap 22-game win streak in loss vs. Royals

Sep 15 | 10:30PM

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(Ken Blaze)

The Indians lost to the Royals, 4-3, snapping their 22-game win streak.

Edwin Encarnacion put the Indians on the board first with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first. However, Alcides Escobar launched a solo homer in the top of the second to tie things up at one apiece.

In the bottom of the third, Jose Ramirez lift a ball over the left field fence for a twon-run homer, giving the Indians a 3-1 lead. But the Royals would strike for three unanswered runs.

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Gregorius powers offense, Severino deals in Yanks 8-2 win over O's

Sep 15 | 9:51PM

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GEICO SportsNite: Yankees win00:02:01

Sweeny Murti reports from Yankee Stadium on the dominance of Luis Severino and the Yankees hoping to line him up to start a wild card game.

Yankees SS Didi Gregorius notched four RBI while starter Luis Severino picked up his 13th win of the season as the Yankees defeated the Orioles, 8-2.>> Box score

Red Sox fined for sign-stealing, Yankees fined for improper use of dugout phone

Sep 15 | 4:45PM

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MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. answers questions from media during workouts the day before Game 1 of the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets at Kauffman Stadium. (Denny Medley/USA Today Sports Images)

The Red Sox have been fined an undisclosed amount (which will be donated to Florida hurricane relief efforts) by MLB for using an Apple watch in an effort to steal signs from the Yankees, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced on Friday.

"In assessing the significance of this violation, the investigation established three relevant points," Manfred said in a statement. "First, the violation in question occurred without the knowledge of ownership or front office personnel. Second, when the Red Sox learned of the Yankees' complaint, they immediately halted the conduct in question and then cooperated completely in my investigation. I have received absolute assurances from the Red Sox that there will be no future violations of this type. Third, our investigation revealed that Clubs have employed various strategies to decode signs that do not violate our rules. The Red Sox' strategy violated our rules because of the use of an electronic device."

After the Yankees complained to MLB about the Red Sox stealing signs, Boston alleged that the Yankees pointed a YES Network camera at Red Sox bench coach Gary DiSarcina during their recent series at Yankee Stadiium. Olney reports that the Red Sox were aware of the camera from previous games and moved DiSarcina to a different spot that wouldn't pick up his signals.

Yankees Minor League Report: Sept. 15

Our weekly minor league report canvases the Yankees' farm system providing updates about the status of the teams in action and the organization's top prospects. This week we will briefly cover the playoff results at each level. We will also examine seasonal results and outlooks for 2018 with the club's No. 10 through No. 6 prospects.

Triple-A - International League North Division - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Record: 86-55, 1st place, 6.5 GA

The RailRiders won the International League North Division regular season title. The RailRiders dispatched of Lehigh Valley in the division series. Scranton is down 2-1 to Durham in the best-of-five International League Governors' Cup Championship Series.

Jay Bruce's walk-off double extends Indians' winning streak

Sep 14 | 10:12PM

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(David Richard)

Jay Bruce's walk-off RBI double in the 10th inning on Thursday secured a 3-2 win over the Royals to extend the team's winning streak to 22 games.

Their 22 straight wins are an American League record, and the second-longest winning streak ever, four games shy of the 1916 Giants, who won 26 straight games. That streak includes an unofficial tie that happened after their 12th straight win. The tie was called due to rain after nine innings with the score tied, 1-1.

The Indians trailed 2-1 in the ninth inning on Thursday, but Francisco Lindor tied the game when he hit a two-out RBI double with two strikes. It marked the first extra-inning win during the team's three-week-long winning streak.

"This was probably the toughest one we've had," Bruce said after the game, according to the AP. "Nothing like it, nothing like it."

Sep 3, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Chase Headley (12) is congratulated at home by catcher Gary Sanchez (24) after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports (Wendell Cruz)

As aggressive as Yankees manager Joe Girardi has been with the team's pitching staff -- quick hooks of starters and extended appearances for relievers -- he's been overly passive with constructing his lineup. Days off and handedness platooning has to -- pardon the pun -- be put to rest.

With 17 games left on the schedule and a three-game deficit in the American League East, the Yankees cannot afford to be sitting their best hitters down the stretch. The importance to winning the division, which is well within reach, cannot be understated.

As the Yankees remain in the thick of the American League East and Wild Card races, Joe Girardi believes it is now even more important to make key decisions in regard to his pitching staff.

With two outs in the fifth and Jaime Garcia in line for a victory on Wednesday against the Rays, Girardi pulled the left-hander in favor of Chad Green. Even after Garcia left the field with some visible anger, the move paid off, as Green got Evan Longoria to fly out to end the frame.

"I went up to him and told him, 'I understand if you're mad at me. I get it,'" Girardi told reporters. "If it's days after, that when there's an issue. I was happy he didn't want to come out. ... I think that early in the season, I probably would have left him in. June, I probably would have. July, I probably would have left him in. But you start to get to this point in the season and you have to make some personal sacrifices."

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Yankees' Todd Frazier mimics fan's thumbs down during Wednesday's win

Sep 14 | 10:33AM

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New York Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier (29) reacts after hitting a single in the first inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Citi Field. (Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports)

Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier took note of a fan's disapproval and made sure to imitate it when he had the chance.

On Monday, Frazier belted a three-run homer at Citi Field, and what appeared to be a Tampa Bay Rays fan gave a thumbs down after seeing the third baseman round the bases.

Otani can be posted in November, when teams will have four days to bid on him with their international signing bonus pool. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman scouted Otani in late August, per the NY Post's George A. King III.